by Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY Sports

by Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY Sports

Mike Krzyzewski will return as the U.S. men's basketball coach through the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, a person familiar with his decision told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly until an announcement was made. That is expected on Thursday.

USA Basketball has scheduled a news conference on Thursday at Duke University, where Krzyzewski coaches.

"I think it's great," Miami Heat forward and two-time Olympic gold medalist LeBron James said prior to Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.

"What he means to USA Basketball is beyond just what we do on the court â?? what we stand for as Americans and being proud to wear the red, white and blue every time we step off the bus, practice, talk to the media or whatever the case may be.

"I've got the utmost respect and trust in Coach K. Whatever his decision was going to be, we all support that."

Krzyzewski, 66, had adamantly maintained the 2012 London Olympics were his last Olympics as coach. He said the prior to the Olympics, during the Olympics and as recently as February. But USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo remained patient and gave Krzyzewski enough time to reconsider.

The two met last week in Las Vegas, and Colangelo had a good sense then that the Hall of Fame coach would return.

While Krzyzewski said he wasn't returning, Colangelo was never quite so sure, and time turned into Colangelo's biggest ally. Even three weeks after the Olympics at the Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Springfield, Ill., Colangelo began to sense Krzyzewski might be willing to return.

"He was already having some withdrawal symptoms. So, as I read it, it was just a matter of in due course and in due time, he'll come to a decision," Colangelo told USA TODAY Sports on Monday. "It had to be a decision that was right for him and his family and the university as well as USA Basketball. That's why I've given him all the time he needed."

"What I've said along is, with what he has contributed to the USA Basketball program and what's he accomplished and what he means to it, he was entitled to be given the time to make a final decision. Time has worked to our mutual advantage."

Krzyzewski, who is 62-1 as coach of the men's national team, will also coach the U.S. team at the 2014 FIBA World Cup of Basketball in Spain.

His decision to return has roster implications, too. James and Krzyzewski are close, and James had been non-committal about the 2016 Summer Olympics. But on Wednesday, he indicated he is willing to come back for a shot at a third gold medal.

"It would be great. First, I have to make sure I stay healthy," James said. "If I'm fortunate to be healthy, I would love to represent my country again. But that's a long time from now."